Thankful Thursday

1. Oliver's soccer game was cancelled last Saturday, which made it easier for me to juggle getting Nadia and Ian to two different fields on time for their games.

2. I got a lot of exercise last week. Last week I ran on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, mowed the lawn on Monday, and walked to the playground on Wednesday and Friday. That means I walked or ran 2-3 miles six out of seven days. Woohoo! So far this week I ran on Sunday, walked to the playground and mowed the lawn yesterday, and I plan to run this evening. I wasn't able to run this Tuesday because Oliver had a soccer game during Ian's practice.

3. A neighbor watched Ian at the soccer field after his soccer practice was over  until I could get there 45 minutes later to pick him up since Oliver's game was at a different field at the same time. I was thankful he could help me out. I have needed a lot of help from different folks in light of having three soccer kids and one chauffeur.

4. The Steelers had a nice win on Sunday! We are currently 3-1 for the season. I was able to watch the game because the Giants were on at night, and the Steelers were on at 1:00.

5. We had a great trip to Corning on Monday. It was wonderful to have a day together as a family of five, as Paul took the day off of work to join us (his idea).

6. The kids enjoyed a program about owls at a state park this morning (picture above is of the craft they made). I always learn something from the naturalist. Did you know that if our eyeballs were as proportionally big as an owl's eyeballs that our eyes would be the size of oranges (instead of ping pong balls). What big eyes you have, my dear!

7. It's the time of year to enjoy pumpkin foods! So far I made pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin french toast.

8. Yesterday we finished reading The Cat of Bubastes. I would say this is the most advanced book I have ever read to the kids in terms of vocabulary, etc. Sometimes I read the book word for words, and other times I paraphrased it because it was a little too advanced for their level (and the descriptions were too verbose at times), but it was an excellent book, especially as we are studying Egypt. As much as I love rereading books I loved as a child (like Secret Garden), I also love reading children's books that I have never read before (like this one).

9. I had never been to Chipotle, but when I saw they were building one near us, I asked for a gift card to that restaurant for Christmas, and Paul's parents gave me one. The first time I went, I was a little taken aback at how much one burrito costs considering it's a "fast food" type restaurant. I recently found a Buy one, get one free coupon and took advantage of it today so I felt better about getting two burritos for the price of one. Some of us will eat those tonight at dinner while others have a chicken and stuffing casserole I made yesterday. I have enough money on the gift card for one more trip there, and I am going to wait until I have another BOGOF coupon now that I know they have those deals. I love Mexican food, and it's especially nice when I don't have to cook it. :)